Restaurants across the United States, along with founding corporate partner United Airlines and Woodford Reserve will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Chef Charlie Trotter’s eponymous restaurant during the 4th annual Charlie Trotter Days celebration, Thursday, August 17 to Sunday, August 20to raise funds for the Pillars of Excellence Mentor Program – a Trotter Project youth mentorship program which seeks to educate, train, and offer opportunities for the next generation of aspiring chefs and hospitality professionals.

“This year we are thrilled to celebrate what would have been the 30th anniversary of Chef Trotter’s restaurant,” says The Trotter Project Executive Director Derrek Hull. “We will extend Charlie Trotter Day into a multi-day event to honor the chef’s enduring legacy and benefit the country’s culinary and hospitality youth. Given the efforts of our amazing corporate partners, we hope to make this our best year yet.”

To benefit the Trotter Project, which celebrated its 3rd anniversary in June, United Airlines will donate $1 for every Choice Menu Bistro on Board item sold on all domestic flights during the celebration, August 17 to August 20, 2017. Several Trotter Project supporting chefs worked in collaboration with United to create and inspire the airline’s Bistro on Board menu.

“We are thrilled to once again participate in Charlie Trotter Days by providing our traveling customers with opportunities to give back to their communities by helping to support The Trotter Project’s Pillars of Excellence Mentor Program,” said Jimmy Samartzis, United’s vice president of Catering Operations. “To demonstrate our commitment to helping young talent get started in the culinary world, United will donate $1 for every item sold from our Choice Menu Bistro on Board selection between August 17 and August 20, 2017.”

New to this year’s celebration is Woodford Reserve’s 30-day Pairing and Sharing Program from August 17 to September 17in honor of the 30th anniversary of Charlie Trotter’s restaurant opening. The program will bring consumers a food and drink pairing concept for 30 days inspired by Chef Trotter’s work and legacy to benefit the Trotter Project.

“We are proud to celebrate the life and legacy of Chef Trotter along with The Trotter Project,” said David Page, a representative of Woodford Reserve. “It is an honor to give back to a charity that helps mentor and inspire so many young people interested in pursuing careers in the culinary and service industry.”

Woodford Reserve will donate a $1 per every pairing menu (up to $10,000) sold during the month at participating accounts in Chicago and New York City. Woodford Reserve is also sponsoring the creation of a 30th Anniversary Program book featuring all participating chefs and bartenders to raise additional funds. True to The Trotter Project’s mission, the goal is to increase collaboration and mentorship between the staff in the front and back of the house on a menu to benefit a great charity.

Chef Charlie Trotter, a James Beard Foundation Humanitarian Award-winning chef, launched hundreds of culinary careers at his Chicago restaurant and inspired chefs across the globe with his innovative approach to cuisine.

Restaurants across the country are invited to participate with a Charlie Trotter-inspired dish, one of his classics, or tasting menu. Proceeds will benefit The Trotter Project, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization.

For the most up-to-date news, including restaurant offerings and new additions to Charlie Trotter Day, follow@TrotterProject on Twitter, @TheTrotterProject on Instagram, follow Trotter Project on Facebook, and join the conversation with #CharlieTrotterDay.

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